Daniels leaves Ajax for Sundowns

Ajax Cape Town have lost Clayton Daniels who completed his much talked about move to Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday, in a deal whose details remain sketchy at this stage.

Ajax have confirmed Daniels' move.

“Ajax Cape Town (have) agreed to the terms offered by Mamelodi Sundowns for the services of Clayton Daniels… We appreciate his efforts in the Ajax Cape Town shirt and wish him all the best for his future at his new club," a club statement said yesterday.

Daniels, previously known as Jagers, was the defensive rock upon which Ajax's title chase was built last season, and his move to Downs is without a doubt, a big loss to the Urban Warriors.

The player becomes the fourth Ajax player from the 2010/2011 season squad, after Thulani Serero's Ajax Amsterdam transfer, Lizo Mjempu's Orlando Pirates move and Willard Katsande who recently signed for Kaizer Chiefs.

While it always remained clear that with the departure of Serero's Khama Billiat would easily take over the playmaker's role, it remains unclear who would replace the gifted and vastly improved Daniels. Ajax report that the search for his replacement continues.

“Our search for a replacement is in progress and we will make an announcement soon.”

Good news for Ajax though is that defender Nazeer Allie, Daniels partner for the past season appears to be raising his hand to be counted in the heart of the Capetonians' defence.

Allie put on a man-of-the-match performance against Chiefs over the weekend, and his outstanding display must have an encouraging sig to the Urban Warriors leadership. Ajax however, need to bring out the cheque book and buy a strong defender.

Options available to Ajax after letting Mbulelo Mabizela slip through their fingers recently is to get a defender on loan from other PSL teams. One such possibility is Chiefs' new signing Lincoln Zvasiya whom Chiefs might want to loan out.

Zvasiya is highly talented young defender with international soccer experience, having played several matches for the Zimbabwe Under 23 in the past year, and is also a member of the senior national team, the Warriors.

The 21-year old is unlikely to find it easier to break into the Chiefs central defence or holding midfield in the next four months, and a loan move with an option to recall the player in January will benefit the player and the club.